New Trier Girls In Tennis Hunt Again

No Rest For Defending State Champs

Suzy Jacoby has never played on a varsity tennis team that has lost a dual meet. The New Trier senior has never played on a team that has finished lower than a tie for first in the state tournament.

Her high school career will end Saturday at Prospect High School. She wants to end it on a high note-the only note she knows.

``Being from New Trier, you feel you`re supposed to win, which makes it even harder,`` said Jacoby. ``If you lose . . . well, we`re not supposed to.``

The state tournament begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at Prospect and nine surrounding high schools (Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, Fremd, Hersey, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg and Wheeling). The first three rounds are scheduled for Thursday; the fourth round, quarterfinals and opening consolation rounds are Friday; and the semifinals and finals plus the quarterfinal, semifinal and final consolation rounds are Saturday. The semifinals begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the championship matches to follow. New Trier, an easy winner of the state title last year and co-champion with Oak Park in 1986, is again one of the favorites. Its toughest competition is expected to come from Lyons, Homewood-Flossmoor and Libertyville.

``We`ve won all of our matches and tournaments,`` said New Trier coach Mary Jo Timmis. ``But it`s a whole new ballgame this week.``

``This is what we work for all year long; it`s the final goal,`` said Jacoby, who with sophomore Megan Mawicke forms one of the top two seeded doubles teams in the tournament. ``All the other matches are a steppingstone to the big tournament. We`re looking forward to it.``

As much as Jacoby would like to contend for the singles title against Maine East junior Mindy Weiner, Libertyville freshman Anne Mall, Oswego senior Deborah Edelman, Hersey sophomore Jennifer Nasser and Joliet St. Francis senior Jenny Karges, she loves playing doubles.

``I think when you`re playing for a team, doubles makes it a little more fun, because you feel like you`re more on the team,`` said Jacoby, who teamed with Amy Holt last year to finish second in the state. ``You`re sharing the experience and your victories with other people.``

Therein lies another secret to New Trier`s success. Besides the amount of practice that goes into becoming a champion, the Trevians` togetherness and competitiveness gives them an added boost.

It`s a constant battle just to make the team, and a continuing battle to make the top six for the state meet.

Anna Benjakul and Ingrid Swanson form the Trevians` other doubles team, which also is one of the top four seeds. Kim Andersen and Courtney Mill will play singles.

``For anyone coming to New Trier, unless you`re a totally awesome star, you always have competition above you,`` said Jacoby. ``It makes you work harder, and that makes our team so much better. It develops a struggle within the team.``

The struggles are worth it come state tournament week. As usual, the freshman and junior varsity teams hosted a dinner Monday for the varsity, and on the eve of the tournament, the team gathered for dinner and to exchange gifts.

``It gets us psyched up,`` said Jacoby.

A secret admirer even sent team members carnations Monday for good luck. Some teams would rather be lucky than good. At New Trier, they prefer to leave little to chance at the state meet.

``We`ve practiced really hard this season,`` said Jacoby. ``Hopefully, it will show when we get out there.``